Article from Math Fiction

I found this article from Math Fiction when I was doing a little research on "Division By Zero." Math Fiction is a website which reviews fiction books with mathematical content. Four of Mr. Chiang's stories have been reviewed to date. The one I attached as a link obviously covers the review of "Division By Zero," but if you want to see the others, just click on Chiang's name at the top of the review. That will take you to where you can view any of the four. In these reviews, there is some in-depth critique on the use of mathematics in the pieces. In the review I attached, you will find that the site is quite impressed with Chiang's accurate representation of Godel's research.

Question for Mr. Chiang

Mr. Chiang,

I actually have a few questions for you. The first comes from a discussion we had in class about "Division By Zero." Do you feel that Renee over-reacted after proving mathematics to be inconsistent? Couldn't the system of mathematics used to that point, even if it were proved to be technically inconsistent, continue to be used for everyday purposes? You mention in your notes about the story that finding out that mathematics was inconsistent would be one of the worst things you could imagine learning. How would you react?

Next, we have had a small amount of discussion in class about traveling at or above the speed of light. It was mentioned that to travel at such speeds would mean that you would arrive at your destination before you actually departed. This is very interesting to me. I was wondering if you had ever heard this theory, or perhaps fact. If you are familiar with the details, could you share those with us? I would like to hear more about this.

Lastly, if given the opportunity to view the world as humans do or as the heptapods do, which would you choose? Would you choose free will or the ability to see the future and "go through the motions?"

Thanks for Your Time,
John Griffin